IMU Chennai Diploma Nautical Science: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

The Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS) at Indian Maritime University (IMU), Chennai, is a 1-year full-time residential programme designed to train students in the fundamentals of marine navigation, seamanship, ship stability, cargo handling, and maritime safety management. The programme is offered across 2 semesters and is conducted at the IMU Chennai campus. The total fee is Rs. 2,75,000 for the 1-year programme (same as the annual fee for B.Sc Nautical Science), with hostel and mess included. Admission is through IMU-CET, and the seat intake at IMU Chennai is 160 seats for the August batch and 120 seats for the February batch. Upon successful completion, graduates are eligible to appear for the Certificate of Competency (CoC) examinations as a Deck Officer, issued by the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), Government of India, and recognized internationally. The DNS is popular as a fast-track route to a merchant navy career, especially for candidates who already have sponsorship from a shipping company.

Admissions to the DNS programme at IMU Chennai campus are open ONLY to sponsored candidates, i.e., candidates who are sponsored by a Ship Owning or Managing Company. Candidates without sponsorship from a shipping company are NOT eligible for DNS admission at IMU campuses. The IMU-CET 2026 registration is currently ongoing (deadline: 24th April 2026), and the exam is scheduled for 24th May 2026. The August 2026 batch commences from 1st August 2026.

Key Points

• DNS at IMU Chennai is exclusively for sponsored candidates. Sponsorship from a recognized Ship Owning or Managing Company is mandatory for admission. Candidates without sponsorship must explore DNS at IMU-affiliated private institutes.
• The programme is offered in two batches: August batch (160 seats at IMU Chennai) and February batch (120 seats at IMU Chennai). The DNS CET Rank Certificate for the February 2027 batch is also valid from IMU-CET 2026 (no separate CET for Feb 2027 batch).
• The DNS leads to a B.Sc (Applied Nautical Science) degree upon completion of the required sea service and examinations, making it a degree-equivalent qualification in the long run.
• The programme is fully residential and hostel stay is mandatory, as it is a pre-sea training course. The residential fee includes hostel and mess charges.
• Candidates must be medically fit as per the Merchant Shipping (Medical Examination) Rules, 2000, and must produce a fitness certificate from a DGS-approved doctor at the time of admission.
• Only unmarried candidates are eligible to apply. A valid passport is strongly recommended before joining.
• The DNS curriculum covers Navigation, Ship Stability, Cargo Handling, Seamanship, MARPOL, Marine Engineering Knowledge, and Maritime Communication across 2 semesters.

IMU DNS Fees

Fee Structure

• The annual fee of Rs. 2,75,000 includes hostel and mess charges. Hostel stay is mandatory for all DNS students.
• Programme Fee of Rs. 30,000 is non-refundable and is paid at the time of confirming the seat allotted through the online counselling portal.
• Caution Deposit of Rs. 30,000 is refundable at the end of the programme, subject to deductions for any dues or damages.
• First semester fee and Caution Deposit must be paid in full at the time of Certificate Verification.
• Counselling Registration Fee of Rs. 10,000 (non-refundable if a seat is allotted) is charged at the time of online counselling registration; this amount is adjusted against the Admission Registration Fee.
• Refund of semester fee is available at 100% if withdrawal is made before the opening day of the first semester (before 1st August 2026 for August batch), and at 90% if withdrawal is made from the opening day up to D+5 days.
• No refund is applicable for medical ineligibility.
• 2418 dated 24.10.2024.
• The above fees are for IMU campus only. Fees at affiliated institutes vary and are set by the respective institutes.

IMU DNS Admission 2026

IMU Chennai DNS Admission Schedule 2026-27 (August Batch)

IMU-CET 2026 Exam Details

• The IMU-CET 2026 Rank Certificate is also valid for the DNS February 2027 batch. There will be no separate CET for the February 2027 DNS batch.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

• Educational Qualification: Candidates must have passed 10+2 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) as mandatory subjects, with a minimum of 60% aggregate marks in PCM and a minimum of 50% marks in English in 10th or 12th examination. SC/ST candidates get a 5% relaxation in PCM marks.
• Sponsorship: Sponsorship from a recognized Ship Owning or Managing Company is mandatory for DNS admission at IMU Chennai campus.
• Marital Status: Only unmarried candidates are eligible to apply.
• Age Limit: Minimum 17 years. Maximum age as on 1st August 2026 - Male: General 25 years, OBC(NCL) 28 years, SC/ST 30 years; Female: General 27 years, OBC(NCL) 30 years, SC/ST 32 years.

Admission Process

• Secure sponsorship from a recognized Ship Owning or Managing Company. Companies typically conduct their own selection tests and interviews for sponsorship.
• Register online for IMU-CET 2026 at imu.cbexams.com before 24th April 2026 and pay the application fee (Rs. 1,200 for General/OBC-NCL/EWS; Rs. 800 for SC/ST).
• Select exam city preference between 4th May and 10th May 2026.
• Appear for IMU-CET 2026 on 24th May 2026 (Computer Based Test, 200 MCQs, 3 hours, negative marking of 0.25 per wrong answer).
• Download IMU-CET Rank Certificate after result declaration.
• Register for IMU's Online Counselling portal by paying Rs. 10,000 counselling fee and fill in programme and campus preferences.
• Confirm seat allotment by paying Programme Fee of Rs. 30,000 (non-refundable).
• Appear for Certificate Verification at the allotted IMU campus with original documents, sponsorship letter, medical fitness certificate from a DGS-approved doctor, and pay the first semester fee and caution deposit.
• Classes commence from 1st August 2026 (August batch).

IMU DNS Scholarships 2026

Scholarship Details

• IMU merit scholarships are awarded based on semester performance and are given for each semester except the last one.
• Many sponsoring shipping companies provide a monthly stipend to their sponsored cadets during the DNS training period. The amount varies by company.
• State government post-matric scholarships are available for eligible students. Students must apply through their respective state scholarship portals after admission.